Does my hardscape look natural?

[I3raven]

Hello, this is my first day on the forums and it's also my first post. I have joined this forum to obtain advice from experienced and non-experienced aquascapers.

So, this is my hardscape after spending about an hour figuring out what angle and position looks the best. My tank is a 20 gallon long that is dirted and covered with gravel. I plan to plant Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green, Dwarf Sagittaria, Rotala Indica, Flame Moss, and Marsilea Minuta. Do you guys think the hardscape should be rearranged or is it good as it is? Thanks and be completely honest please

[Hishifishy]

I think the hardscape looks good. I think the size of the wood is good and the plants are going to look great together. Are you planning on covering the wood with flame moss?

[I3raven]

Originally Posted by Hishifishy

I think the hardscape looks good. I think the size of the wood is good and the plants are going to look great together. Are you planning on covering the wood with flame moss?

Thanks for the feedback, yes, I am going to cover the unnatural cuts with flame moss. I'm probably going to plant densely.

[l8nite]

Nice plant selection. IMO the "point" of your wood is too centered. I find all the scapes I'm attracted to in rectangular tanks are off-center a bit. Maybe rotate it 180

I have pretty poor aquascaping skills though... :p

[I3raven]

Originally Posted by l8nite

Nice plant selection. IMO the "point" of your wood is too centered. I find all the scapes I'm attracted to in rectangular tanks are off-center a bit. Maybe rotate it 180

I have pretty poor aquascaping skills though... :p

Yeah I was actually bothered by it and I had a feeling that it didn't look right. thanks for pointing that out.

[I3raven]

Which one do you think is more natural or flowing. Or you could just pick whatever you believe looks better. It would be nice if you stated why. Thanks!

[Kathyy]

I am not sure you are framing the photos so we can tell if the wood is placed well. The most prominent part of the wood needs to be somewhere around 1/3-2/5 from one end or the other to be most comfortable for our eye. We need to see the whole length of the tank.

I like both scapes and I liked the first one too, just place them a bit off center and any would make up a nice picture for you. For a 20 long I might be leaning toward the one on the left as it implies movement with the long diagonal top edge which complements the long low tank shape. I would place the heaviest part of the largest bit of wood at the sweet spot first and see how that looks.

There are a lot of good threads here on developing your eye for satisfying scapes, here is one.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=180044

[I3raven]

Originally Posted by Kathyy

I am not sure you are framing the photos so we can tell if the wood is placed well. The most prominent part of the wood needs to be somewhere around 1/3-2/5 from one end or the other to be most comfortable for our eye. We need to see the whole length of the tank.

I like both scapes and I liked the first one too, just place them a bit off center and any would make up a nice picture for you. For a 20 long I might be leaning toward the one on the left as it implies movement with the long diagonal top edge which complements the long low tank shape. I would place the heaviest part of the largest bit of wood at the sweet spot first and see how that looks.

There are a lot of good threads here on developing your eye for satisfying scapes, here is one.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=180044

Really helpful feedback, if not the best. I will post a full photo of the tank and a close up image of the driftwood. Thanks for the link and I hope you will view the full size image after I post it in a few hours.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by I3raven

Which one do you think is more natural or flowing. Or you could just pick whatever you believe looks better. It would be nice if you stated why. Thanks!

I like both of these. The first one gives the flowing look and perception, while the second one gives depth to the scape with the largest piece being the focal point and in the back. If I had to choose I would choose the second. But in all honesty, we need to see the entire tank as a whole. Snap a good pic of the entire tank, so we can see where the hardscape lies.

[I3raven]

Originally Posted by Cinbos

I like both of these. The first one gives the flowing look and perception, while the second one gives depth to the scape with the largest piece being the focal point and in the back. If I had to choose I would choose the second. But in all honesty, we need to see the entire tank as a whole. Snap a good pic of the entire tank, so we can see where the hardscape lies.

I couldn't agree with you more, I think the 2nd one would be more intriguing to the eye. I hope you guys could wait for another update. Thanks

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by I3raven

I couldn't agree with you more, I think the 2nd one would be more intriguing to the eye. I hope you guys could wait for another update. Thanks

Of course we will wait!

[I3raven]

So the pictures are showing the full size image of my tank and the close up of the driftwood.

I forgot to mention I am looking to create a "tree stump" look, but also make the tank look natural. I am planning to attach moss to make the wood appear aged. I also want a sense of depth in the tank.

[I3raven]

This is my current setup